Don't Touch Me! - 22

 

"I thought I'd hit up a club, dance, get drunk," Cody replied. "What do you think I'll be doing?" He knew he was being snarky but he couldn't help it, partly because he didn't believe there was a cure, but more because he couldn't fathom why Brent was willing to help him. He'll think about it between now and then and decide he's got better things to do.

Brent laughed. "Probably not that. Not yet. But someday, my man, you'll be able to again, if that's your thing."

"You know it isn't going to happen."

"Cody…" Brent's voice softened. "Don't. There has to be a reason. We just have to figure out what."

"Don't you think I've tried? Every damned day since it started?"

"I'm sure you have, but you've been doing it alone. Well, if you don't count the shrink who wanted to dose you up on anti-anxiety meds, which I get didn't help. Now, you'll have someone by your side who cares."

"Do you care?" Cody whispered.

"Yeah, I do. And so help me if you ask why, I'm going to shoot you. I like you, as a friend—or I hope you see me as one—and maybe, just maybe, more." He chuckled low. "I haven't quite made up my mind about that yet, so don't hold me to it."

Cody couldn't believe Brent meant what he was saying. He's trying to placate me. He thinks I'm an interesting…case—something out of the normal sphere of what he does, but still…a case to be solved.

"That shut you up," Brent said drolly.

"Sorry. I guess…I'm afraid you're looking at this like another mystery to be figured out."

"I'll admit, there is an element of that, though only a minor one. I want you to get well. I want you to be able to live your life the way you should, the way you did before whatever happened to set this off. I want to get to know the man you were."

"The loner?" Cody asked sourly.

"Even him. I know there's more to you though, whether you believe it or not. Think about it, and we'll talk more on Saturday. Right now, unfortunately, I'm up to my ears in things I have to take care of, if Saturday is going to happen."

"Okay. I guess I'll see you then."

"Don't guess. You will," Brent replied firmly before hanging up.

I'll believe it when I see it. Cody sighed as he turned back to his computer to continue what he'd been doing before Brent called—working on finishing his book.